We Are The Dead

David Bowie's 'We Are The Dead' is a haunting exploration of love, despair, and societal decay. The song, from his 1974 album 'Diamond Dogs,' is heavily influenced by George Orwell's dystopian novel '1984.' The lyrics paint a bleak picture of a world where individuals are constantly monitored and oppressed, and where genuine human connections are rare and fraught with danger.

The song opens with a moment of realization, as the narrator reflects on their relationship and the societal pressures that weigh upon them. The repeated phrase 'It hit me today' suggests a sudden awareness of their dire situation. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness and resignation, as the characters struggle to maintain their love in a world that seeks to control and destroy it. The metaphor of 'fighting with the eyes of the blind' highlights the futility of their resistance, as they are unable to see a way out of their predicament.

Throughout the song, Bowie uses vivid and often disturbing imagery to convey the dehumanizing effects of the dystopian society. Phrases like 'choking on you nightly' and 'defecating ecstasy' evoke a sense of physical and emotional suffocation. The repeated refrain 'we are the dead' serves as a chilling reminder of their inevitable fate. The song's characters are depicted as 'scrambled creatures' and 'today's scrambled creatures,' emphasizing their loss of identity and autonomy.

In the final verses, the song shifts to a more introspective tone, as the narrator expresses a longing for connection and understanding. The lines 'Living on the breath of a hope to be shared' and 'Trusting on the sons of our love' suggest a glimmer of hope, despite the overwhelming darkness. However, this hope is ultimately overshadowed by the pervasive sense of doom, as the song concludes with the repeated declaration 'we are the dead.' Bowie's 'We Are The Dead' is a powerful and evocative commentary on the human condition, exploring themes of love, loss, and the struggle for freedom in a world that seeks to suppress individuality and emotion.